ALT URGENT ACTION ALERT: HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN HARMONDSWORTH AND COLNBROOK DETENTION CENTRES. Content warning: violence, suicide attempts. Action Against Detention & Deportations.

ALT HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN HARMONDSWORTH AND COLNBROOK On Sunday 25th June, people held inside the centres protested against the unacceptable and dangerous conditions they have been subjected to, demanding urgent access to healthcare and other support. They have described their situation as a "human rights crisis". In retaliation, authorities have punished them for exercising their right to protest by placing a significant number of people in segregation/isolation and threatening them with transfer to prison. Dogs have been used on those detained, and we have heard alarming reports of an increasing number of suicide attempts as the mental health and well-being of people imprisoned is being completely disregarded. At least one of the people being held in Harmondsworth is underage.

ALT HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS IN HARMONDSWORTH AND COLNBROOK Both centres are operated by Mitie PLC Harmondsworth and Colnbrook have a long history of inhumane treatment and unacceptable conditions, including extreme heat, power cuts, lack of running water, and abusive treatment by staff. There has been a major mental health crisis in these detention centres and others around the country, with increasing instances of self-harm and attempts at suicide. Since 2000, at least 56 people detained for immigration reasons have died in detention centres and prisons. The death of Frank Ospina in March 2023 while detained at Colnbrook was followed by multiple suicide attempts. Those detained at these centres have consistently been denied access to healthcare and vital support.